With a spiral staircase splitting the middle, four cramped, dark bedrooms and a cracked pile foundation, this three-story A-frame was not the pristine vacation home that is so often associated with Fire Island Pines.  However, given the height of the front wall and sunset views of the Great South Bay potential was there to be exploited.  But blocking those great views was the existing six foot diameter steel spiral staircase.  The clients asked for a stair re-think to free up the center of the house.

With the lot coverage at its limit, Bromley Caldari took advantage of a local law that permits bay windows to project two feet out from the building envelope.  The new stair would tuck into the two large bay windows staggered at different elevations on each side of the house with a cat-walk balcony off the master bedroom to connecting the two sides.  Weaving across from one side to the other as you work your way up the three floors, views of the bay are framed at each elevation.

On the main level a double height living room/dining room stretches the length of the window clad North façade.  The open kitchen runs along the south side.  The master bedroom suite has full height glass sliding doors to take advantage of the view, but when privacy is desired, the sliding glass doors fog up at the flick of a switch.

Under the peak on the third level is a quiet second bedroom and den.  The two rooms are connected by a walk-through bathroom - a glass shower enclosure on one side and a glass enclosed powder room on the other.  Pocket doors at each end allow for privacy.